Aviation Crew Chief Roars Back To Duty

Diagnosed With Skin Cancer Sgt Squires Fights Back
Camp Striker

There are many nicknames for some people.  The one that Sergeant Jared Squires seems to be linked with is “Tiny”. At his height of six feet five inches, Sergeant Squires is the crew chief for Company A, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment.  Due to his size he is a snug fit in the crew chief position on the Black Hawk helicopter that he flies with.

Sergeant Squires does not care about the nickname; he is just pleased to be flying.

Squires was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2006.  The flight Army surgeons at the time told him he would live for about six years at tops.  “I found out and I was stunned,” said Sergeant Squires.  “The doctor said Malignant Melanoma, and all I could think of was “I am married, and I have two children,” said Sergeant Squires.

“I suddenly wanted to live and experience right away because I didn’t think I would be around in the future for my boys, or my family,” said Squires.  Squires began a series of PET scans, to help detect cancer, and a series of surgeries.  Both things took place at Low Country Cancer Care, in Georgia.

The cancer had spread to the left arm, to the lymph nodes. They removed them and then the wounds were very slow to heal. “Last was a type of skin graft to close up the area,” said Squires.  “That was the most painful of all,” said Squires.

Squires fought back, and was cleared to fly in October.  He could have stayed in rear detachment but chose not to. “I had to get my cancer oncologist to say, “He is Fine,” said Squires.  “Even then I had to fight to get back,” stated Sgt Squires.